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Safety

Fire Alarm Response

To respond to a fire alarm activation quickly and in a fixed order, so that a real fire is met immediately and a false alarm does not become an unnecessary evacuation.

Scope

Applies to every alarm activation at every property, at any hour.

Responsibilities

Duty Engineer investigates. Duty Manager decides on evacuation. Security controls the assembly point. Every employee has an evacuation role.

Required tools

Fire alarm control panel, two way radio, master key, torch, floor plans, evacuation list.

Procedure

  1. On activation, the Duty Engineer reads the panel and identifies the exact zone and device.
  2. Announce the zone on the radio so all departments hear the same information.
  3. Investigate the identified device within three minutes, taking the stairs, never the lift.
  4. Confirm by sight whether there is fire, smoke, or a false activation cause such as steam or aerosol.
  5. If it is a false activation, report the cause on the radio and silence the panel only with Duty Manager approval.
  6. If fire or smoke is confirmed, raise the general alarm immediately and call the civil defence emergency number.
  7. The Duty Manager orders evacuation of the affected floor, the floor above and the floor below first.
  8. Employees sweep their assigned area, direct guests to the nearest protected stairwell, and never use a lift.
  9. Security accounts for guests and employees at the assembly point using the in-house list.
  10. Nobody re-enters the building until the civil defence officer in charge gives clearance.

Checklist

  • Panel read and zone identified
  • Zone announced on radio
  • Investigated within 3 minutes
  • Cause confirmed by sight
  • Emergency services called if confirmed
  • Evacuation ordered by Duty Manager
  • Floors swept
  • Lifts not used
  • Assembly point roll call
  • Re-entry only on official clearance

Safety notes

Never investigate a fire alone in a smoke filled area. Never use a lift during an alarm. Never reset the panel before the cause is confirmed.

Quality standard

Alarm investigated within three minutes of activation. A written incident record completed within one hour of the all clear.

Escalation

Any confirmed fire is escalated to the General Manager and civil defence immediately, with no intermediate step.

Use this procedure with your team

Procedures are issued to a property, acknowledged by the staff it applies to, and re-issued when they change.

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